Two-Level Escapement Rocker Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horological oscillators with two-level escapement rockers increase the overall height of watch movements, potentially leading to deformation or precision issues due to the need for peg fixation on the balance.
Innovation Solution
A compact two-level escapement design where the balance plate has a second level with a projecting pin and a truncated circular body, allowing the fork to cooperate with the pin without increasing the oscillator's height, and incorporating a self-starting tooth for automatic restart without direct peg fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the escapement rocker is constructed in two levels with the fork on a different level from the body, then the escapement wheel can communicate direct and indirect impulses without collision, but the overall height of the oscillator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The escapement rocker body is folded at right angles to create a two-level structure where the impulse communication surfaces are positioned vertically offset from each other. This dimensional reorganization allows the fork and body to transmit impulses without horizontal collision, while the vertical arrangement minimizes the increase in overall oscillator height compared to a horizontal expansion design.
2Length of stationary object
If the escapement rocker is folded in four places to define two levels, then the height is reduced and the design is compact, but a peg must be fixed to the balance which can cause deformation or lack of precision
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the impulse transmission function from a peg-fixed-to-balance configuration and relocates it to the escapement rocker's folded structure. The impulse communication surfaces are integrated into the rocker body itself, eliminating the need for external peg fixation on the balance wheel, thereby avoiding balance deformation and positioning precision issues.
3Volume of moving object
If the fork is positioned close to the balance wheel to cooperate with the pin, then the design is compact, but the two-level structure still increases overall height
Solution Approach 1:
The escapement rocker utilizes a folded configuration where the body and fork are positioned on different vertical levels. This vertical stacking allows the fork to approach the balance wheel closely in the horizontal plane for compact volume, while the vertical offset prevents interference with other components, thus achieving compactness without excessive height increase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design maintains oscillation precision, reduces the risk of balance deformation, and keeps the oscillator compact in height without the need for direct peg fixation, enhancing shock resistance and gravitational orientation stability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring 4, typically a hairspring, arranged to return the balance 2 to an equilibrium position
Implementation Method 2
an escapement 10 comprising an escapement wheel 12, an escapement rocker 14 and a balance plate 16... arranged to maintain the oscillations of the resonator 1
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The clock oscillator according to the invention comprises a balance wheel (2) mounted on a balance staff (3), a balance plate (16) mounted on the balance staff (3) and carrying a pin (26), and an escapement lever (14) comprising a body (14a) mounted on an escapement lever staff (15) and a fork (20) at one end of the body (14a). The body (14a) extends over a first level and the fork (20) extends over a second level. The fork (20) is arranged to cooperate with the pin (26) in order to maintain the oscillations of the balance wheel. The pin (26) projects from the balance plate (16) parallel to the balance staff (3). The pin (26) is directed towards the balance wheel (2).